Iraqi soldier kills two US troops

POLICE yesterday detained the brother of an Iraqi soldier killed after gunning down two American troops and wounding nine others, the first US deaths since combat operations were declared over.

Tuesday's violence, which also saw two US soldiers wounded in a grenade attack, and a firefight in Baghdad two days earlier involving American soldiers, were a stark reminder that despite Washington's claim of a move to "stability operations," its forces in Iraq remain at risk.

The gunman, enlisted man Soran Rahman Saleh Wali, opened fire on his US comrades who were visiting the Al-Saadiq Air Base near the town of Tuz Khurmatu in Salaheddin province, killing the two Americans and wounding nine others.

Security officials said Wali shot them after an argument erupted, but there were no details on what sparked the row or on his motives.

Defence ministry spokesman Major General Mohammed al-Askari had initially told AFP the quarrel was over a sports match, but he later retracted those remarks and said it was unclear why it occurred.

"Marwan, Soran's brother, who works as a policeman in Tuz Khurmatu, was arrested yesterday by police forces and is now being held," a police colonel in the town said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"Iraqi and US joint forces also raided Soran's house overnight, but did not find anyone there." The US military said it was not involved in the raid.

The colonel said Wali's corpse, which was moved from Kirkuk mortuary to Tuz Khurmatu hospital for further tests, had sustained nine gun shots, including to the head and abdomen.

US and Iraqi military officials said they had opened investigations into the shooting.

"A preliminary review of reports from the scene indicates the attack was a deliberate act," the US military said in a statement. "The detailed investigation will clarify the facts and actions of all involved."

Brigadier General Jeffrey Buchanan, spokesman for US forces in Iraq, said that while the incident was "tragic", it did not "affect our strong commitment to the mission of advising and assisting the Iraqi security forces."

The shooter's immediate family declined to speak to AFP.

But his cousin and neighbour Abu Shwan said he was a moderate in his religious views.AFP